PDQ 36 Buyer's Guide
The PDQ 36 is a 36-foot cruising catamaran built in Ontario, Canada, with around 100 examples produced since 1991. Designed by Alan Slater as a family cruiser rather than a charter boat, it has proven itself offshore and holds value on the brokerage market. For a shopper, the key is understanding the two propulsion philosophies and the layout variants that appear in listings.
Layouts on the Used Market
Both owner three-cabin and charter four-cabin arrangements are well represented, and ex-charter boats are common. The standard interior places two double cabins forward in each hull with queen berths, a starboard-hull head with separate shower, and a port-hull galley. An optional aft port cabin has been finished variously as a double, office, or workshop. The saloon spans the bridgedeck with wraparound settees, and the cockpit is deep and secure with a bulkhead-mounted wheel. Narrow side decks and a low cockpit sightline aft are inherent to the design.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Power and energy systems dominate the upgrade picture on these boats. Commonly fitted items include lithium batteries, solar, inverter, and watermaker, reflecting owners who cruise self-sufficiently. The LRC diesel models use saildrives, while Classics carry outboards that tilt up; many listings show dinghy davits and a swim platform with cockpit shower for the tender lifestyle. Navigation and comfort clusters are equally developed: autopilot, chartplotter, radar, and EPIRB are commonly fitted, as are air conditioning and hot water. Canvas is serious, with bimini, dodger, and the Mark III's popular hard-top bimini frequently present.
What to Inspect
The one documented known issue is the smoked-acrylic companionway door, which is difficult to secure in a blow and should be tested for latch integrity and panel condition. Otherwise, verify the propulsion type: Classic outboards in cockpit-seat lockers versus LRC diesel saildrives, the latter needing lower-unit inspection. Port engine access is through the aft cabin and starboard through a cockpit hatch, so confirm both paths are clear. Check the vacuum-bagged hull-to-deck flange joint and the foam-core deck areas around high-load fittings for past moisture.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats are typically found in the United States. For a buyer, the shortlist is: confirm layout (owner three-cabin vs ex-charter four-cabin), identify Classic outboard vs LRC diesel and inspect accordingly, test the companionway door latch, verify solar/lithium/watermaker energy chain if offgrid cruising is planned, and confirm hard-top bimini and autopilot presence for comfort. The PDQ 36 rewards the careful shopper with a shoal-draft, well-built cruising cat that has held its value.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the PDQ 36. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 5 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 25 | 2 | $104,950 | — |
| Jul 25 | 1 | $114,900 | +9.5% |
| Aug 25 | 2 | $117,425 | +2.2% |
| Apr 26 | 1 | $148,000 | +26.0% |
| Jul 26 | 1 | $95,000 | -35.8% |
Where they're listed
PDQ 36 listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 2.
Country view
2 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $121,500 | 2 | 1 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
4 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leopard Catamarans 39 | 37.5' | $ 289,000 | 51 | 14 |
| Fountaine Pajot Mahe 36 | 36.19' | $ 195,000 | 37 | 6 |
| Islander 36 | 36.08' | $ 23,290 | 33 | 10 |
| PDQ 36You are here | — | $ 121,500 | 2 | 1 |